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the tree is large, and in full bloom, make a 

 beautiful variety among the early productions 

 of the fpring. 



Nearly related to the willow tribe, tho in 

 nature rather than in form, is the alder. They 

 both love a low moift foil ; and frequently the 

 banks of rivers ; though it may be alledged in 

 favour of both, that they will flouriih in the 

 pooreft foreft fwamps, where nothing elfe will 

 grow. The alder is however the more pi6lurefque 

 tree, both in its ramification, and in its foliage ; 

 perhaps indeed it is the moft picturefque of any 

 of the aquatic tribe, except the weeping wil- 

 low. He who would fee the alder in per- 

 fection, muft follow the banks of the Mole in 

 Surry, through the fweet vales of Dorking, 

 and Mickleham, into the groves of E flier. 

 The Mole indeed is far from being a beautiful 

 river j it is a filent and fluggifh ftream. But 

 what beauty it has, it owes greatly to the 

 alder ; which eveiy where fringes its meadows, 

 and in many places forms pleafmg fcenes; 

 efpecially in the vale between Box-hill, and 



the high grounds of Norbury-park. 



\ 







Some 



